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στρατιώτης

stratiṓtēs

G4757 noun

SILEX Entry

Root στρατιωτ- soldier, member of an armed force

Definition

A person serving as a soldier, i.e., one engaged as a member of an organized military or armed force. In various contexts, can refer to any enlisted military figure, whether in a formal army, auxiliary corps, or as a guard. In the New Testament, typically a soldier of the Roman army, but also more generally, any armed service member. The term can be used literally (actual military personnel) or in rare instances, metaphorically (as with spiritual warfare imagery).

Semantic Range

soldier (professional or auxiliary), military personnel, guard, one engaged in armed service, occasionally metaphorical as one fighting or struggling in a cause

Root / Etymology

From στρατιά (army, host) with the agentive suffix -της, signifying 'one belonging to' or 'one characterized by' an army; thus, 'soldier' or 'member of the army.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, στρατιώτης refers to any soldier, whether of the citizen militia (hoplite) or various forms of organized military. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the term typically denotes a professional soldier, often Roman but not exclusively so. In the context of the Roman Empire, στρατιώτης applies to legionaries, auxiliary troops, or garrison soldiers stationed in regions such as Judea. The term contrasts with other words such as πολεμιστής (warrior, fighter), which emphasizes combat ability rather than formal enlistment. In New Testament and early Christian literature, the metaphorical extension of the term (e.g., 'soldier of Christ') appears mainly in later Christian writings rather than the New Testament itself. Most standard English translations render the word as 'soldier,' which accurately conveys its primary meaning, though the nuances of ancient military life or specific Roman ranks are not always captured. The word appears in both literal narratives involving military personnel (e.g., at Jesus' crucifixion) and occasionally in parabolic speech.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed derivative of the same as στρατιά; a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively):--soldier.

Root Family

στρατιώτης (stratiōtēs) — soldier, member of an armed force, military personnel

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4757-01 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers 9
G4757-07 στρατιωτῶν stratioton N GEN M PL soldiers of soldiers 5
G4757-03 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers 5
G4757-02 στρατιώταις stratiotais N DAT M PL soldiers to soldiers 3
G4757-04 στρατιώτῃ stratiote N DAT M SG soldier to a soldier 2
G4757-06 στρατιώτης stratiotes N NOM M SG soldier soldier 1
G4757-05 στρατιώτην stratioten N ACC M SG soldier a soldier 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4757-03 Matthew 8:9 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers
G4757-01 Matthew 27:27 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers
G4757-02 Matthew 28:12 στρατιώταις stratiotais N DAT M PL to soldiers
G4757-01 Mark 15:16 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers
G4757-03 Luke 7:8 στρατιώτας stratiotas N ACC M PL soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 Luke 23:36 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 John 19:2 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers
G4757-01 John 19:23 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers
G4757-04 John 19:23 στρατιώτῃ stratiote N DAT M SG soldier to a soldier
G4757-01 John 19:24 στρατιῶται stratiotai N NOM M PL soldiers soldiers
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